How I Will Break Through Alien Discovery by Vivian

How I Will Break Through Alien Discovery by Vivian - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

To have high tea with aliens from all parts of the universe is simple– send out invitations via supernova light waves and travel to a tourist destination through black holes. This straightforward proposal would work after a couple of centuries of research evolution; but for now, I am setting my sights on pushing the limitations of human abilities on the moon through bioengineering. The Artemis project under NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is laying the groundwork for furthering space exploration beyond the moon– multidisciplinary engineering will provide answers to venturing this uncharted frontier. The opportunity to be part of this shift in knowledge, research, and invention within the next decade excites me.

At Wilbur Wright College, my involvement in the ongoing project, "Fostering a Community of Practice," is a privilege. Becoming a researcher has taught me how to utilize my opportunities to the best of my abilities; however, due to the limitations of a community college, there are still fewer resources for scientific research including faculty willing to manage. To progress toward my dream of finding aliens, I will need to look beyond my current state. The 4-year Institutions have the resources, that Wilbur Wright lacks, to perform nuanced scientific research in biomaterials and engineering specifically. I am building the methods for my ambitions by searching for challenging environments to grow in. Community college was a necessary stepping stone in my path as an engineer; however, I need to seek harsh environments to polish my skills. I always try to surround myself with people with diverse backgrounds in experience, culture, and knowledge, so that their work can be meshed with mine. My current skill set is so limited, which is a main motivating factor as to why I continue exhausting all the outlooks I can. Engineering requires learning various disciplines to connect answers to unconventional solutions– collaboration with others is how to catalyze this. To foster my personal and intellectual growth, plasticity is crucial, urging me to seek mentors, reshape my mindset, and build foundational knowledge. Transferring to a 4-year institution that supports my goals is the next step in seeking a new incubator.

The desire to inspire and cultivate innovative leaders and problem solvers prepared to address complex social and economic challenges will propel me forward and stay with me post-graduation. This same passion for engineering within space was cultivated by my mentors, and it is my responsibility to do the same. Based on Abdel’s quote– to discover the greatest discovery in my life is notable, opening the path for future discovery is even greater. Reaching a level in academia in which I breathe all components of bioengineering genetic space mutations would quench my curiosity, but it is also my job to share it with others. I want to be able to use the platform and connections that I have gained throughout the years to diversify the STEM field. I need to reach the technical caliber of my teachers and mentors to become someone who can share with others the beautiful organized chaos of the universe. My physical time is finite, but the impact and inspiration I hope to leave on communities will transcend those limitations.